Method of producing emulsions



Feb. 13, 1923. 1,445,427 E. E. WERN ER METHOD OF PRODUCING EMULSIONS Filed Feb. 11, 1922 5 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 13, 1923 1,445,427

E. E. WERNER METHOD OF PRODUCING EMULSIONS Filed Feb. 11, 1922 5 sheets-sheet 2 In z/eroi'or:

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E. E. WERNER METHOD OF PRODUCING EMULSIONS Filed Feb. 11, 1922 5 sheets-sheet 3 In yeraior': fr'nesi 5. Werner.

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Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

ERNEST E. WERNER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

METHOD OF PRODUCING EMULSIONS.

Application filed February 11, 1922. Serial No. 535,901.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST E. \VERNER.

citizen of tihe UnitedStates, and resident of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Producing Emulsions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the production of emulsions, dispersed systems. and the like. In my pending application Method for producing emulsoids. Serial No. 428,504, filed December 6, 1920, I described amethod for producing dispersed systems by utilizing mechanical means for attaining such effects as are attained in the method of Bredig, who produces, as is well known, dispersed systems by means of the electrical arc. The invention disclosed in the application referred to, involves the exposure of liquids of different specific gravities to the abrasive and centrifugal effect of a rapidly revolving, relatively smooth disk, the latter being horizontally disposed within a container holding liquids of different specific gravities and being preferably immersed below the level of the liquid of minimum specific gravity. Such a disk, when rotated at sufficient speed will produce the equivalent of Bredigs effect. This disk, to the touch and eye, may appear perfectly smooth, but will nevertheless, when viewed or visualized in microscopic cross-section, have a serrated, highly rugged or uneven surface, the nature and degree of the minute serrations depending, of course, upon the degree of polish and nature of the metal.

The general object of my present invention is to provide a method for producing emulsions, which will have the advantages of the method described in my application referred to above, but in which I can substantially exclude air, and if desired regulate the admission of air; also to provide a method involving the use of my rapidly rotating disk which will give it an improved emulsifying effect, and which at the same time, will enable the disk to be placed out- Wise of the container holdingthe liquids which are to be emulsified; and to provide for accomplishing these effects with a minimum amount of agitation of the liquids in the container. According to my present method relatively small quantities of the liquids are acted upon at any instant,-and in consequence the resulting product is characterized by a greater degree of dispersion than can be accomplished by the practice of the method described in my prior application, referred to above. This greater disperslon is at times desirable and, of course, tends to produce relatively great stability which is a factor much desired in an emul slon.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel steps and in the combinations of steps to be particularly described hereinafter. all of which contribute to produce a simple and efficient. method. for producing emulsions and the like. A preferred embodiment of my in vention will be particularlv described in the following specification while the broad scope of my invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan of apparatus by means of which my invention may be practiced;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the apparatus taken on the line 2.2 of Fi ure 1 and representing the two liquids which are to be emulsified, in a quiescent state;

Figure 3 is a viewsimilar to Fi ure 2 but representing the relation of the iquids during the operation of my method or proc- Figure 4'is a side elevation of the casing of the emulsifying chamber in which the centrifugal disk revolves;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan illustrating features of one form of apparatus which may be used to insure the exclusion of air while the emulsification is taking place; and also illustrating means for facilitating the guiding of the upper portion of the liquid toward the vortex which may be formed within the container;

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the container taken about on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a vertical section through. a container showing another fornr of apparatus which may be used to insure the exclusion of the air.

In practicing my method I prefer to direct aconfined stream or streams, composed of thc liquids of different specific gravity. against the face of a rapidly rotating disk. the effect of which is that the centrifugal force developed by the disk upon the lighter filed November 7, 1921.

liquid disperses it through the heavier liquid, or liquids, producing an emulsion. H

As an example of liquids of different specific gravity which may be emulsified by my invention, I may mention, a vegetable oi such as cottonseed oil. which may be thoroughly emulsified in milk, or, by means of a suitable stabilizing agent, such as gum acacia, in other liquids. Such an emulsion, and the use of the present machine for making the same, is particularly applicable to the art of bread making; and other ingredients maybe added to the emulsion and held in suspension therein, all as set forth in my pending application, Serial, Number 513,280,

Obviously, however, the present invention is not limited in use to the emulsification of the articular liquids named, nor to the emulsi cation of liquids of different specific gravity for use in the bread making art.

.In practice it is most convenient to effect the emulsification of batches of the liquids. To do this I place the two or more liquids in contact with each other in a container and continuously circulate the liquids so as to pass the same in a confined stream, to' the emulsifier. In the present instance I simply direct this stram against the face of the rotating disk; The stream should be supplied in someway with liquid taken from the upper portions of the container, which are richest in the lighter liquid. In order to do this I prefer to withdraw a stream from the contents of the container through a bottom-= outlet in such a way as to develop a vortex, the effect of the vortex being, to effect a continuous feeding movement of the lighter liq-- uid down the. core or bore ofthe vortex so that the stream withdrawn at the bottom outlet has a liberal supply of the lighter liquid. I also prefer to return the liquid directly fromthe emulsifier or rotating disk, to the container,.and thereby maintain asub stantially constantlevel within the con-- tainer; and indelivering the return stream into the container I prefer to deliver it in a direction which will avoid-disturbing the vortex, that is to say, I deliver it in a sub-- stantially'tangential direction. This direc-- tion avoids disturbing the vortex andmay also assist to a certain extentin forming it and maintaining it.

I shall now describe a simple apparatus by IgEJYlS of which this method may be prac tice This apparatus consists-of a container 1 preferably of cylindrical form disposed with the axis of the cylinder substantially vertical. The bottom 2 of this vessel or container is provided with a central outlet 3 to which a pipe connection 4 is attached, the same having a substantially horizontal extension 5 which delivers a stream of liquid at or about the center of a disk 6 preferably having a relatively smooth or polished face on the side which receives the stream from the pipe WVhen theapparatus is in operation the shaft 7 of this disk is rotated at a highvelocity by any suitable means. The disk: rotates in a narrow circular emulsifying; chamber 8 formed within a suitable casing 9, having an outlet neck 10 which adapts it for the direction of rotation indicated bythe arrow in Figure 4. The area of chamber 8 relative to the quantitative flow of the liquids through the pipe 5, as governed by the size of said pipe, is suchas totend to preserve the continuity of the liquid mass; or, in other words, to prevent separation of the liquid into droplets, or the spray form The outlet neck 10 is connected by a riser pipe 11 to a delivery nozzle or elbow 12, the connection to the same being made through the vertical wall of'the container and preferably near the bottom. The elbow 12, therefore, delivers the return stream in a substantially tangential direction as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1. a

The pipe connection 4 may be provided with a connection to )a valve 13 through which samples of the streampassing through the pipe connection 4 may be taken for microscopic or chemical examination,-while the process is in progress.

The disk'6 when revolving in chamber 8 functions as an impeller tending to produce suction through outlet 3 and develops an upward flow through neck 10. This will withdraw portions of the liquid near the bottom of the container 1' andsubject the same to the action of the'smooth faced disk, retu'rningythem to the interior of the container. This cycle of operation produces a vortex which, with proper adjustment of speed of the disk leaves theliquid practi-' cally quiescent near the wall of the container. The liquid near the center, however,

is in a fairly rapid motion and produces a depression of. the liquid, or mouth, below the general level within the container. When liquids of different gravities such as oil and water, are superimposed within the tank and the disk set in motion, the center, core or pipe of the-vortex provides 'free outlet for a part of the lighter liquid which flows downward. This becomes intermixed with some of the heavier liquid, and is thereafter exposed to the abrasive action of the relatively. smooth disk, which operates, as stated, also, as an impeller. The product is returned to the main body of the liquid. This cycle of operation will continue, with a selective action in relation to specific gravity, until a uniform specific gravity of the entire liquid is produced, at which time the emulsion is perfect.

When it is desirable to dissolve within either or all of the liquids, salts, or other soluble the tangential inlet 12 functions to' 55 form of a ball which I maintain floating on assist in rapidly dissolving such matter. and allocating it within that stratum of the liquid represented by the specific gravity of the solution.

I find in practice that a disk having a.

- the action of my process might be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention as might also be the introduction of finely powdered insoluble matter which by means of my process can be readily dispersed within a liquid medium.

The method described above, operating as it does to deliver the liquids to be emulsified, to the rotating disk at a point from which air is substantially excluded enables my process to be carried on very effectively, but where it is desired to insure most effectively the exclusion of air, I supplement the method described above, with another step, or steps, one of which consists in ex cluding the air from the mouth of the vortex so as to substantially prevent air from being carried down through the vortex during the emulsifying operation. Another advantageous step I may use, consists in guiding parts of the liquid at its upper surface in such a way as will tend to augment the flow of the lighter liquid passing down the vortex.

The air may be excluded in a very simple manner by maintaining a float of substantially circular cross-section at the mouth of the vortex, andizi contact with the surface of the liquid so as to operate as a seal to exclude air from the interior or pipe of the vortex. By using a float as a seal or closure in this way it is evident that the, buoyancy of the float will maintain it at all times in'contact with the surface of the liquid in the mouth of the vortex.

-As the rotary movement of the contents of the container takes place Iguide the sur face liquid inwardly toward the mouth of the vortex.

I shall now describe simple apparatus for effecting these objects, referring especially to Figures 5, 6 and 7. In Figures 5 and 6 I illustrate a float 15 which may be in the the mouth 16 of the vortex. This float may be maintained in position by any suitable means Which will guide it so as to permit it to rise and fall with the general level of the liquid within the. container 17. As the pipe or core 18 of the vortex is developed by the suction created by therotating disk, the air pressure on the upper side of the float tends to press it deeper into the mouth and this assists in producing a very effective seal at this point.

I use the float to retard the velocity of rotation at the mouth of the vortex. In order to do this and guide the seal or float 15 so as to maintain it in position fixed against rotation I provide two vertical stems 19 on which two guide plates 20 slide, said plates being provided with sleeves 21 which slide along the stems. These plates are disposed substantially radially and each is connected at its inner end by a bow or yoke22 with the float 15. The float 15holds these guide plates 20 at about the general surface level within the container, and the plates 2th in turn, maintain the ball centered over the mouth of the vortex. With the direction of rotation of the mass of liquid indicated by the arrows in Figure 5 I provide the outer ends of the plates 20 with a lip or forwardly bent tip 22-3 which lies near the wall of the container. This facilitates the plates 20 in performing their function of guides to guide the surface portions of the liquids toward the point at which the stream is forming which will pass to the disk. In this type of apparatus I simply guide the surface portions toward the center of the vortex.

If it is desired to practice the method without this step of surface-feeding the lighter portions of the liquid toward the vortex, I may simply provide a float 24 (see Figure 7) guided. on a central vertical stem 25 extending up from a small tripod or stand 26 at the bottom of the container. The body of this float carries a diametrica-lly disposed tube 27 which extends through it, the upper end of which is closed by a permanent head 28. With this construction, although the stem 25 passes through the float or ball 24:, the opening through the ball is'efiectively sealed from the air. lVhile this simple apparatus enables the air to be excluded from the core of the. vortex I prefer to use the method disclosed in connection wvith Figures 5 and 6 because in that method I prevent the float from rotating. This is desirable because it tends to prevent too high a. rotary velocity being developed and enables the surface portions of the liquids to be guided into the mouth of the vortex without great agitation, and facilitates making the effective air seal at the float, which is desirable.

It would be within the scope of my invention to employ my novel step of excluding air from the vortex with any known treatment that would effect e-n'iulsification.

If it is desired at any time to admit air, evidently this can be accomplished by simply raising the float out of contact with the liquid.

I am aware that the term serrations or serrated as generally used, is applied to .maintainin &

describe an edge rather than a side face or surface. In using this term in the specification or claims I intend it to mean the roughness or rug ed condition of the face of the plate if cross-section were viewed under magnification. I do not refer in any way to serrations at the edge of the disk. It is obvious that the serrations or pro jections on the face of the plate could be artificially produced so that they would be regular, instead of irregul-ar as they would .be in the disk described above.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments my invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of my invention, nor in my claims to the particular embodiment set forth.

What I claim is: r

1-. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, which consists in rotating a relatively smooth faced disk at a high velocity, and directing a confined stream composed of the liquids, against the relatively smooth face of the disk while the continuity of the liquid mass, there y dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier-one.

2. The method ofemulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, which consists in rotating a relatively smooth faced disk at a high velocity within a chamber, and

directing a confined stream of the liquids against the face of the disk, the area of the chamber relative to the quantitative flow of the liquids being such as to tend to preserve the continuity of the liquid mass,

thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one.

3. The method. of emulslfying liquids of different specific gravities, which consists in holding the liquids in a container, with.-

drawing the upper portions of its contents from the container, bringing the withdrawn liquid into contact 'Witha rapidly revolving disk, and thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the lieavier one.

4. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specificgravities which consists in holding the two liquids in a container with the lighter liquid floating upon the heavier one, continuously withdrawing, portions of the content-s of the container which are rich in the liquid having the lower specific gravity, and bringing the withdrawn liquid into contact with a rapidly revolving relatively smooth. disk, thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one;

5. The method of emulsifying liquids of difierent specific gravities, which consists in holding the two liquids in a container, with-- drawing the upper portions of the contents of the container, bringing the withdrawn liquid into contact with a rapidly revolving relatively smooth disk and, thereby dispersdifferent portion of the contents throu ing the lighter liquid within the heavier one,

and returning the resultant product to the container.

6. The method of emulsifying liquids of to establish a rapidly revolving relatively smooth disk and I thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one, and returning the liquid frqmqtjz llile disk to the container.

withdrawing the liquids from a container through an outlet and into oontact'wi-th a rapidly revolving relatively smooth disk the continuity of the while maintaining liquid mass, thereby dispersing the lighter hquid within the'heavier one.

8. The method of d fferent specific gravities which, consists in withdrawing the liquids from a container contact with a rapidly revolving relatively ity of the liquid mass, thereby method of 'emulsifying liquids or specific gra-vities which consists in emulsifying liquids of through an outlet, bringing the liquids into lighter liquid within the heavier one, and returning the product 9. The method of to the container. emulsifying liquids of different specific gravitie's which consists in.

withdrawing a stream of the liquids from a container through an outlet at sufiicient speed to form a vortex, bringing the with.- drawn stream into contact with a rapidly revolving relatively smooth disk, thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one, returning the liquid from the disk to the container, and maintaining the same at a substantially constant level within the container.

10. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, which consists in holding the same in a container with the lighter liquid floating upon the heavier one,

withdrawing liquid through the bottom of the container so as to establish a vortex in the liquid above the point of withdrawal and thereby developing a flow of'the upper h the outlet, bringing the withdrawn liqui into contact with a rapidly. revolving relatively smooth disk, thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one, and developing a rotary movement of the contents'of the con-- tainer about the vertical axis of the'outletfi 11. The methodof emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities. which consists in holding the same in a container with a lighter liquid floating upon the heavier one,

revolving relatively smooth disk. thereby withdrawing liquid through the bottom of the container so as to establish a vortex above the point of withdrawal and thereby developing a flow of the upper portion of the contents through the outlet, bringing the withdrawn liquid into contact with a rapidly dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one, and returning the liquid from the revolving disk to the container in a substantially tangential direction to develop a rotary movement therein, to avoid disturbance of the vortex.

12. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gra-vities' which consists in maintaining the two liquids in contact with each other. and circulating the liquids so as to pass the same in the presence of each other in a confined stream against the relatively smooth face of a disk rotating at a high velocity, while maintaining the continuity of the liquid mass.

13. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, which consists in holding the same in a container, withdrawing a stream through a bottom outlet of the container so as to establish a vortex in the liquid and thereby produce a flow of the upper portion thereof down the vortex, treating the Withdrawn stream to the abrasive and centrifugal action of the surface of a rotating member to effect a dispersion of the lighter liquid in the heavier, and preventing the passage of air down the vortex.

14. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravit-ies, which consists in holding the same in a container, withdrawing a stream through a bot-tom outlet of the container so as to establish a vortex in the liquid and thereby produce a flow of the upper portion thereof down the vortex,

directing the withdrawn stream into contact with a rapidly revolving relatively smooth disk to disperse the lighter liquid in the heavier, and preventing the passage of air down the vortex.

15. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, which consists in holding the same in a container, withdrawing a stream through a bottom outlet of the container so as to establish a vortex in the liquid and thereby produce a, flow of the upper portion thereof down the vortex, treating the withdrawn stream to the abrasive and centrifugal action of the surface of a rotating member to effect a dispersion of the lighter liquid in the heavier and maintaining a float of substantially circular cross-section fixed against rotation at the mouth of the vortex and in contact with the surface of the liquid so as to exclude air from the vortex and retard the velocity at the central portion of the vortex.

16. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, which consists in rotating the same in a container, directing a stream derived partially from upper portions of the contents, against the face of a rapidly rotating disk, and guiding the upper surface portions of the contents toward the said stream.

17. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities which consists in rotating a disk at a high velocity and directing a confined stream composed of the liquids against the face of the disk while maintaining the continuity of the liquid mass, thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one.

18. The method of emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities which consists in holding the liquids in a container, rotating :1 disk at a high velocity within a chamber communicating with the interior of the container to direct a confined stream of the liquids against the face of the disk, thereby dispersing the lighter liquid within the heavier one, and returning the same to the container, the continuity of the total liquid within the cycle of operation being maintained at all times.

Signed at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri this 4th day of February A. D. 1922.

ERNEST E. WERNER. 

